It is the kind of twist that hits a nerve in a country. As the Jays battle for their postseason lives, Canadian fans from Victoria Island are walking South to the Mariners, donning the team gear and cheering against their country’s team. Times Colonist reporter Cleve Dheensaw reported that multiple fans from Vancouver Island have split allegiances, drawn to the cross-border team as their “local” team because of proximity.

John Schneider’s team has long been seen as a de facto national team, representing Canada from coast to coast. But the enhanced fan presence of the Mariners across British Columbia has now changed the scenario for the Mariners. It has turned playoff games in Seattle into near-home matchups for them, and it is a nightmare for the Jays fans.

Then the situation hit a boiling point as Bryan Woo, the Mariners’ rising star and estimated $100 million star, inched closer to reentering the field for the ALCS Game 5 start. Woo last played a live game on September 19, 2025. On Monday, he threw a 25-pitch live batting session and announced that he was “ready to get in the game.”

However, some sources said to MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer that if the series extends, the star will be the Mariners’ option. This development could decisively tilt the upcoming game in favor of Dan Wilson’s team.

For Canadians, such a twist raises heartbreaking questions: How did the Jays lose a home-field advantage in another nation? Why are the Jays fans fueling the Mariners’ energy? Meanwhile, one hardcore Canadian baseball fan, Nathan Bird of Victoria, remarked, “Blue Jays fans from B.C. show up in droves whenever the Jays come to Seattle.”

“I’m first and foremost for the Blue Jays but I also cheer for the Mariners since they both came into Major League Baseball together in 1977,” Bird shared as he plans to wear a Jays jacket and a jersey of the Mariners. While many share the same emotion, the symbol of supportive competition now looks like a divided MLB identity.

The twist stings more considering the stakes.

The Jays have not reached the World Series since 1993. And now, they find themselves amid rising tension, facing the Mariners who have been reinvigorated by a returning star and growing cross-border fans. With the Mariners’ rotation finding its ground at a perfect period, the Blue Jays’ World Series hopes are hanging by a thread.

While Woo headlines the Marines’ rotation, the star is far from alone. The team has assembled a formidable 14-man pitching roster shaped to overwhelm the Jays’ hitters.

Mariners unveil 14-Pitcher powerhouse to challenge Blue Jays in ALCS

The Mariners are ready with an arsenal for the ALCS, carrying 13 pitchers alongside Woo to clash with the Jays. Such a depth highlights the Mariners’ all-in approach as the team focuses on neutralizing the Jays’ offense in what could be a grueling seven-game fight.

Leading the charge with Bryan Woo are rotation anchors Luis Castillo, George Kirby, and Logan Gilbert, each elite under postseason force. Castillo is a veteran star and remains a tone-setter. And Kirby and Gilbert’s precision and power make the stars vital for a mid-series game.

However, the bullpen could be the Mariners’ ultimate benefit.

Eduard Bazardo, with a 2.52 ERA in more than 73 appearances, has turned in an elite reliever. Joining the star are Matt Brash, Gane Speier, and Andrés Muñoz, all identified for overpowering stiff that it can stop late-game rallies.

Rounding out the roster are Bryce Miller, Luke Jackson, Carlos Vargas, Emerson Hancock, and Caleb Ferguson. They are providing Dan Wilson every reason to hope. With such an elite group at his disposal, the manager can mix and match to perfection and can keep the Jays’ bats guessing throughout the game.